Q: Is Bar Keepers Friend toxic?
Not necessarily – it's based on oxalic acid, which is a strong cleaning agent, so it should be used as directed and rinsed off surfaces, keeping it away from children and pets like any household cleaner.
54Z1516 - Bar Keepers Friend, 12 oz (340g)

An Indianapolis chemist invented this product in 1882, after he cooked some rhubarb and noticed how shiny his tarnished pot became. Based on oxalic acid, an active ingredient in the plant, the cleanser he formulated was named for its popular use cleaning metal fixtures in the city’s taverns.
Dusted onto surfaces and rubbed with a damp cloth, it dissolves scale deposits left by hard water, removes stains and tarnishing caused by rust and other metal oxides, and quickly restores shine to stainless steel, brass, chrome and porcelain. It contains no abrasive particles, so it can be used on glass, fiberglass, enameled surfaces, some hard plastics such as Corian, and other nonporous materials without scratching.
Unlike household bleach, it won’t react with acid-based cleaners. Should not be mixed with bleach or ammonia cleaners, or used on gold, silver, pewter, marble, anodized aluminum or lacquered metals. Used with a bit of elbow grease, it yields impressive results. 12 oz/340g canister.
Made in USA.
Not necessarily – it's based on oxalic acid, which is a strong cleaning agent, so it should be used as directed and rinsed off surfaces, keeping it away from children and pets like any household cleaner.
Dust it onto the surface, then rub with a damp cloth to dissolve scale and stains before rinsing clean.
Yes, since it contains no abrasive particles, it's safe to use on glass as well as fiberglass, enameled surfaces and hard plastics like Corian.
It's based on oxalic acid, the same active ingredient the original 1882 formulation drew from rhubarb.
| Materials | Oxalic acid-based cleanser |
| Volume | 12 oz (340g) |
| Includes | Cleanser canister |
| Package Quantity | 1 item |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Warranty | Lee Valley Satisfaction Guarantee |

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Bar Keepers Friend
An Indianapolis chemist invented this product in 1882, after he cooked some rhubarb and noticed how shiny his tarnished pot became. Based on oxalic acid, an active ingredient in the plant, the cleanser he formulated was named for its popular use cleaning metal fixtures in the city’s taverns.
Dusted onto surfaces and rubbed with a damp cloth, it dissolves scale deposits left by hard water, removes stains and tarnishing caused by rust and other metal oxides, and quickly restores shine to stainless steel, brass, chrome and porcelain. It contains no abrasive particles, so it can be used on glass, fiberglass, enameled surfaces, some hard plastics such as Corian, and other nonporous materials without scratching.
Unlike household bleach, it won’t react with acid-based cleaners. Should not be mixed with bleach or ammonia cleaners, or used on gold, silver, pewter, marble, anodized aluminum or lacquered metals. Used with a bit of elbow grease, it yields impressive results. 12 oz/340g canister.
Made in USA.
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